Main content

Pierre Boulez obituary, Costa Biography winner, Tracy Ullman review; Bolshoi Babylon

Pierre Boulez obituary with Nicholas Kenyon and George Benjamin; Andrea Wulf, winner of the Costa Biography Award; Tracey Ullman's TV show; behind the scenes at the Bolshoi

The death of one of the 20th century's most important composers and conductors, Pierre Boulez, was announced today. Sir Nicholas Kenyon, MD of The Barbican and former Radio 3 Controller, and composer George Benjamin who worked with Boulez, discuss this hugely influential figure.

Throughout this week we鈥檙e hearing from each of the category winners in the 2015 Costa Book Awards, which were announced on Front Row on Monday. Today we hear from Andrea Wulf, winner of the Biography category for her historical book The Invention of Nature: The Adventures of Alexander von Humbolt, The Lost Hero of Science, who lived from 1769-1859.

Stand-up and writer Meryl O鈥橰ourke reviews Tracey Ullman鈥檚 Show which brings the comedian back to British TV screens for the first time in 30 years.

A new film documentary Bolshoi Babylon gives us unprecedented access to the power struggles behind the scenes at Russia鈥檚 most famous theatre, including the widely-reported acid attack in 2013 on the Bolshoi鈥檚 former lead dancer and artistic director Sergei Filin that left him almost blind. The film鈥檚 two co-directors Nick Read and Mark Franchetti discuss the challenges of dealing with the Kremlin-sponsored elites, the political divisions and the professional jealousies among the dancers and the management.

Presenter: John Wilson
Producer: Rebecca Armstrong

Available now

30 minutes

Chapters

  • Pierre Boulez obituary

    Duration: 08:00

  • Costa Biography winner Andrea Wulf

    Duration: 07:43

  • Tracy Ullman review

    Duration: 04:22

  • Bolshoi Babylon

    Duration: 07:54

2015 Costa Biography Award Winner Andrea Wulf

2015 Costa Biography Award Winner Andrea Wulf

The winner of the聽2015 Costa Biography Award is聽聽by Andrea Wulf, published by John Murray.

Photo Credit: Antonina Gern

Tracey Ullman's Show

Tracey Ullman's Show

begins on Monday 11 January at 10:45pm on 大象传媒 One.

Photo Credit:聽漏 大象传媒


Bolshoi Babylon

Bolshoi Babylon

is in cinemas from Friday 8 January, certificate PG.

Photo Credit:聽漏 Red Velvet Films

Credits

Role Contributor
Presenter John Wilson
Interviewed Guest Nicholas Kenyon
Interviewed Guest George Benjamin
Interviewed Guest Andrea Wulf
Interviewed Guest Meryl O'Rourke
Interviewed Guest Nick Read
Interviewed Guest Mark Franchetti
Producer Rebecca Armstrong

Broadcast

  • Wed 6 Jan 2016 19:15

大象传媒 Arts Digital

The best of British culture live and on demand.

Inspire

Inspire

A season discovering where artists find inspiration and helping listeners get creative.

Podcast